PREVIEW NCAAF – Week 5: Surging Villanova Hosts No. 12 Maine in CAA Showdown
Villanova has shot up to No. 8 in the FCS Stats Ranking after starting the season unranked. The Wildcats have gotten there the hard way after steamrolling defending Patriot League Champion Colgate, and No. 10 Towson on the road. This week they take on another tough CAA foe as No. 12 Maine visits.
Temple suffered a huge setback last week falling to Buffalo. The Owls had taken down previously ranked No. 21 Maryland the week before. They’ll try to get back on track against Georgia Tech who is also coming off of a disappointing loss.
No. 20 Delaware will try to pull off an upset as they head to Pittsburgh to take on a tough Panthers team that is coming off a huge upset of their own after they took down undefeated UCF with the Philly Special.
Penn looks to recover after a heartbreaking season-opening loss at Delaware. The Quakers will take on a struggling Lafayette team that is still searching for its first win of the season.
Pennslyvania at Lafayette
The Quakers came very close to upsetting No. 20 Delaware in their season opener. It came down to a gutsy call by Ray Priore to go for it on a two-point conversion, a pass that inevitably came up short. The call was the right decision, as the Blue Hens had the momentum, and Penn isn’t playing for an FCS playoff spot as the IVY-League doesn’t participate in it. Still, the Quakers have to feel good about this matchup, as running back Karekin Brooks should have no problem gashing the Lafayette defense, and turning the game into a track meet.
Prediction: Pennsylvania 31, Lafayette 25
No. 20 (FCS) Delaware at Pittsburgh
62-0… That was the score the last time these teams met. Pittsburgh dominated the Blue Hens in every facet of the game. Pittsburgh is a tough team to beat despite its injuries. The Panthers led No. 18 Virginia at halftime, lost to No. 12 Penn State by a touchdown, and most recently upset No. 22 UCF on a 4th and 3 Philly Special. The Hens offense should score points this time, but their defense will not be able to stop Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 42, Delaware 10
Georgia Tech at Temple
Temple was still hungover last week after it beat then No. 21 ranked Maryland. The hangover couldn’t have been more obvious in quarterback Anthony Russo who turned the ball over four times to help fuel Buffalo to a 38-22 win. Now that the Owls are back to reality, they should be pleased to know that Georgia Tech is coming off of a worse loss. The Yellow Jackets got knocked off by FCS The Citadel, and have looked terrible throughout the season. Russo should bounce back and shred the Tech defense that is allowing 29.7 points per game.
Prediction: Temple 31, Georgia Tech 19
No. 12 Maine at No. 8 Villanova
In the CAA, rankings can be thrown out. Every team is capable of defeating a fellow CAA foe any given week. It happens every week, including last week when the Wildcats upset previously No. 5 Towson. Maine was the CAA’s best a year ago but is currently 0-1 in conference play. University of Maine quarterback Chris Ferguson has been a shell of his 2018 self. He already has six interceptions through four games. Turnovers against Villanova will be costly, as the Wildcats are averaging 42 points per game. Villanova will pull away in the second half as Ferguson gets careless with the ball.
Prediction: Villanova 34, Maine 24
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